Distributed by e-mail December 23, 2013

This update provides information on the following:

• Influenza activity continues to increase;
• Influenza vaccination recommendations;
• Influenza treatment recommendations.

Influenza activity continues to increase

The latest Influenza Surveillance Report has been posted today on the Health Unit’s web site. Influenza activity continues to increase, with all 13 subtyped isolates being A(H1N1)pdm09 (Pandemic H1N1), which is a component of the current influenza vaccine.

Influenza vaccination recommendations

It is very important to encourage vaccination of all unvaccinated individuals, particularly those at high risk for influenza complications such as those with underlying medical conditions, people 65 years of age and over, and children less than 5 year of age. Children less than 5 years of age may be particularly vulnerable as they are less likely to have been exposed to Pandemic H1N1, which last circulated widely in 2009.

Children less than 9 years of age who are being vaccinated this season with their first lifetime dose of seasonal influenza vaccine, should receive a second dose at least 28 days later. The dose of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is 0.5 ml given intramuscularly (IM).

Influenza treatment recommendations

Influenza treatment recommendations are summarized in a chart from the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI). Guidance is provided for the following groups:

· Those with mild or uncomplicated influenza, with and without risk factors for influenza complications - treatment is particularly recommended for those with risk factors;
· Those with moderate, progressive, severe or complicated illness for whom treatment is recommended.

More details on the use of antiviral medications for influenza can be found in the AMMI document entitled “The Use of Antiviral Drugs for Influenza: A Foundation Document for Practitioners”.